Rotary table for well boring



May 35, R923. J. D. LOYD ROTARY TABLE FOR WELL BORING 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 10, 1921 a ien @211 May 15, 1923. HASSJMLZ x J. D. LOYD ROTARY TABLE FOR WELL BQRING Filed Sept. 10, 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 6H0: we 1 May 15, 1923) 11,455,142

J. D. LOYD ROTARY TABLE FOR WELL BORING Filed Sept. 10 1921. 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented May 115, 1923.

, arena entree.

JOSEPH 1o. LOYD, or HOSSTON, toursmnal ROTARY TABLE'FQR BORING.

Application filed September 10, 1921. Serial No. 499,675.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOSEPH D. LOYD a.

citizen of I the United States, residing at Hosston, in the parish of Cacldo and State of Louisiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rotary Tables for Well Boring, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to well boring apparatus, and particularly to that class of apparatus for drilling or boring deep wells in which astring of pipe is lowered into the well, carrying at its lower end the drilling tool or device, and in which means are providedat the surface for rotating the string of pipe to actuate the boring or drilling tool. Such a means is ordinarily known as a rotary top.

Rotary tops of ordinary construction, while used for drilling purposes, are'not ordinarily; used for making up or screwing together the sections of pipe or disconnecting or breaking out the same. The ordinary rotary top has a single turn-table and canv make but a few connections of pipe sections, as every pipe in the well is obliged to turn with the rotary top as it goes around to make up the top joint. It is possible to make up joints for a short distance in this manner, but only a few connections can be made in this manner, as all the pipe below the rotary top have to'turn with the rotary top and this will unscrew the pipe which is deep down in the well. v

The general object of this present invention is to provide a double rotary top consisting of two turn-tables, one of which is adapted to be driven by power and one of which tables is so constructed that it may be locked to the rotatable table to turn therewith or be released from the rotatable table, thus permitting the upper table to support and hold the string of pipe from rotation while the lower or outer table which is driven by power is rotated to rotate the upper section of pipe or the Kelly joint into screw-threaded engagement with the lower section of pipe.

whereby the inner rotatable table may be held from rotation while the outer table is rotating under power. a

A still further object is to provide the outer table with means for supporting the pipe tongs, the support for the pipe tongs being made so that it may be swung out of the way.

Another object is to provide a rotary top which can handle any size pipe from two inches to twelve inches.

Other objects will appear in the course of the following description.

My invention is illustrated in the accom panying drawings, wherein K Flgure 1 is a perspective view of a well boring machine constructed in accordance with my invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof;

F lgure 3 is a vertical sectional View thereof on the line 33 ofFigure 2;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view through the base and the inner turn-table showing the bolt whereby the inner turntable is locked;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of this bolt;

Figure 6 is a perspective View partly broken away of the spider;

F lgure 7 isa perspective view of the dog or bushing which supports the Kelly joint;

I Figure 8 is a perspective view of the slips or wedges which support the pipe within the boring machine Figure 9 is a side elevation of the pipe wrench and supporting member therefor;

Figure 10 is a top plan view of the pipe. wrench shown in Figure 9-;

Figure 11 is a top plan view of the pipe clamp or wrench used in engaging the lower pipe section;-

Figure 12 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 12-12 of Figure 3;

Figure 13 is a detail perspective View of one of the dogs or bolts 35;

Figure 14 is a detail view in elevation showing how the set screws 47 are locked.

Referring to these drawings, and particularly toFigure 1, it will be seen that I have illustrated my improved rotary top as A further object is to provide means mounted upon a supporting frame of any end the-"pinion 16. This shaft 14 is driven by a sprocket wheel whizh is freely rotatable upon the shaft 14 but is operatively engaged with this shaft by means of any suitable clutch 17, and this sprocket wheel is connected to any suitable source of power whereby it may be driven. Of course, I do not wish to be limited to the particular means whereby the shaft 14 is operated.

The platform or base 12 is formed with a central opening 18 and with a concentric raceway 19 within which are disposed the conoidal anti-friction rollers 20 or any other suitable anti-friction elements. Extending through the central opening 18 in the base 12 is a tubular member 21, and disposed above the base 12 and concentric to the tubular member 21 is a turn table 22 which is provided upon its under side with a race way 23 engaging the anti-friction rollers 20. The upper face of this table 22 adjacent its margin is formed withv a raceway 24 within which are disposed the anti-friction rollers 25. Supported upon these rollers 25 and rotating thereon is an annular turntable 26 formed with a raceway 27 engaging the rollers 25 and formed'at its margin upon its under face with the gear teeth 28 which are engaged by the pinion 16. Thus the "pinion 16 in its rotation will act to rotate the annular table 26. It will be seen that the central portion of the table 22 extends up into the central opening of the table 26, as at 29, so as to center this table 26. and disposed upon the upper face of table 22 are shims 30 whichextend slightly above the upper face of the table 26, and supported upon these shims is an annular plate 31 which is held to the table 22 and is caused to form part thereof by means of the screws, bolts or other suitable devices 32 which ex tend down through the shims 30. Q

It will be seen that so far as described the two tables 22 and 26 may rotate independently of each other. In order to cause the two tables"to rotate unitarily with each other, I form the annular plate 31 which forms part of the table 22 with the oppositely disposed notches 33- and mount upon that portion of the table 26 which extends beyond the plate, 31 the yokes 34 within which operate the radial sliding bolts 35. The yokes are provided with openings through which pins 36 may be disposed, these pins being adapted to engage in openings in the bolts so as to hold the bolts 22 with the table 26 but which, when pulled I out and latched out by means of the pins 36, will permit the independent movement of the two tables.

In order to provide means for locking the table 22' frbm rotation, this table is formed with a plurality of notches in its periphery, as at 38, and operating in guides 39 carried upon the base 12 is a bolt or dog 40 which, when forced inward, will engage in any one of these notches 38 and which is adapted to be shifted by means of a lever 41 conne;ted by a link to the bolt or dog, the bolt or dog being locked in its projected or retracted position and against accidental movement by a pin 42 which is inserted through a perforation in the top of the guide and extends down into the dog and holds it either retracted or projected.

The upper fac 'ofthe annular plate 31 which forms part of the table 22 is provided with two diametrically opposite holes 43 and an oil hole 44 that is disposed adjacent one of the notches 33. The upper face of that portion of the table 26 which projects beyond the plate 31 has equi-distantly arranged sockets or holes 45. The purpose of thes sockets 43, and 45 will be hereafter stated. The pipe 21 or tubular vmember which extends through the tables has rotatable engagement with the table 22 and is heldin place by a nut 46. This nut is held in place by set screws 47 If the upper rollers wear between the table 22 and table 26, it is only necessary to take out the shims 30 and tighten up on the screws 32, thus taking up the wear on the rollers. on the lower rollers, the set screws 47 are removed from the nut 46' and the nut is tightened up and then the set screws arereplaced. The heads of the, setsrrews 47 are provided with openings or throu h which Wires or keys 47 are inserted to hol d the set screws from working out or becoming loose. The top bearings are lubricated by pouring oilin the perforation 44 in To tighten up apertures,

the top plate, this perforation afterwards to The spider.49 is provided at diametrically opposite points with .slots 49, extending from the bottom of thespider substantially half wa the hei htthereof. The pipe 21 is provi ed with iametrically opposite lugs Cil 1.8, which engage the didmetrically opposite slots 49, so that the spider reinalns fixed relatively to the pipe 21. The spider as previously stated rests upon a flange or shoulder 18, which is attached to the inner cylindrical surface of the pipe 21. Thus when the pipe 21 rotates, the spider will rotate also, owing to the engagement between the lugs 18 and slots 49. It will be understood that a set of spiders is designed to be used of various sizes to suit various sizes of pipe. This spider is annular in cross section and the bore 50 of the spider contracts from its upper end toward its lower, and the diametrically opposite faces of the bore are formed with longitudinally extending slots 51. A plurality of segmental dogs or slips 52 which taper toward their lower ends and form wedges are adapted to be disposed within the spider, the inner faces of these dogs being roughened, and one of these dogs is formed with an outwardly projecting lug 53 which engages in one of the slots 51. The other dogs are not provided with these lugs but all of these dogs are provided with handles 54: whereby they may be lifted. Adapted to be-used in connection with the spider and as a section of the well pipe when boring is a Kelly joint, that is a sectionmf pipe, designated 55,

which is many-sided upon its outer tace or square as regards its outer face. This is adapted to fit within a tapered bushing or within a dog 56 and have a sliding fit therein, this dog being tapered to fit the spider and being provided with diametrically disposed lue's 57 engageable in the slots 51 in the spider.

It will be understood that when the dog 56 is in place within the spider, the segmental wedges 52 are not in use and when the segmental wedges are in use, the dog is not in use, as will hereafter appear.

Operating in conjuntion with the table 26 is a post 58 which has an outwardly extending arm at its upper end, and this post 58 carries at its end the shackled hook 59 upon which the tongs 60 are swung. These tongs are of the usual description and are pro, vided with the opposed aws 61 and 62, one of these jaws having a shackle 63 which tits over the lug on the opposite jaw when the jaws are clomd upon a pipe, the jaws being provided with a shank rhandle 64. Also insertible into any one of the perforations A5 is a post 65, and insertible in either of the openings tiiis a post 66. @peratingin conjunction with the pipe sections which form part of the stem or drill pipe and which is adapted to he detachably engaged therewith for the purpose of screwing the pipe together, as will hereafter appear, is a pipe tongs having the two spaced ears 67, a shank or handle 68, the pivoted linlrs 69,

w the chain 70, and the transverse bar 71 con- FEB nected to the free end of the chain. This transverse bar is adapted to beengaged with either seat 72. s The edges of the lugs or ears 67 are serrated so as to bite into the pipe.

lit is to be understood that in drilling wells bpgmeans of a rotary pipe or stem, the C 56 is disposed within the spider and the Kelly joint within the dog. With the parts in this position, the Kelly joint must be rotated, and to this end the locking dogs or bolts are forced into the notches 33, thus locking the tables 26 and 22 together for unitary motion. The bolt is then withdrawn from engagement with the table 22, the clutch thrown in, and both tables are rotated unitarily by power. As both tables rotate together, they carry the Kelly joint around and as the Kelly joint goes around it drills and as it drills slides downward through the dog or bushing 56 that is held by the spider. When the hole or well is as deep .as the Kelly Kelly joint is pulled out of the well along with the dog 56. In pulling the Kelly joint up it is hoisted until the pipe section A has been lifted up to a level with the spider 49. Then the wedges 52 or slips as they are termed are dropped in place, locking the section A from any downward movement. The screw-threaded upper end of the pipe section A is then somewhat above the plate 31. A collar K is screwed upon the upper end of the pipe section A and such a collar may connect the Kelly joint with the pipe section. The table 22 is locked by means of the bolt 40 trorn movement. The next section of pipe is then hoisted in place by the usual hoisting means onthe derrick and the lower end of the pipe section is insorted within the union or collar X and turned slightly until it is just engaged with this collar. The tongs are then engaged with this upper pipe section so as to firmly grip the pipe section. The post 65 is then put into the next adjacent hole 45 on table 26 so that the tongs handle 6A will come on the opposite side of this post, that is so that the post will be between the tongs and the post 58. The pipe tongs or wrench 67 is then disposed with its gripping chain around the collar X and post 66 is disposed in either of the holes 4:3 on plate 31 and the handle 68 of the tongs 67 isput against this post 66. The pins 86 are then removed from the dogs or bolts 35, and the bolts pulled out until the joint is long, then the Illiti) pins 36 will engage in the other holes or after a few joints are made up to be used on the end of the tongs and this clutch is then thrown in and the shaft 14 rotated in a. direction to turn the table 26 and post willtherefore bear against the handle 64: of the tongs 60 and as table 26 goes around it will screw the upper pipe section or the Kelly joint into the collar on pipe section A. Thus the pipe is made up or screwed together by means of my rotary top or table.

The pipe sections are then lowered into a position ,where the Kelly joint can once more be engaged with the upper end of pipe section A and the Kelly jo nt is also engaged with this pipe section in the manner described for the engagement of the upper pipe section with the collar X. Then the wedges 52 are removedand the dog or bushing 56 lowered so that its lugs fit into the notches of the spider. Then once more the tables are locked together for common rotation and table 22 unlocked and the operation is repeated until the string of pipe has descended a distance equal to the length of the Kelly joint, when another section must be added and the operation just described is again performed to add a new section of pipe to the old. The same operation is performed every time a joint is screwed on the string of pipe.

The rotary tops as ordinarily constructed are incapable of practically doing anything else than drilling the well or hole and cannot be used, as was previously stated, for the purpose of connecting up the pipe sections. It will be seen that the inner table or table 22 holds all the string of pipes still while the other table 26 carries the tongs and the joint of pipe around and thus every joint of pipe from top to bottom can be made up on this table. With an ordinary rotary top, a rope has rope is put on a cat-head on the line shaft and the pipe is given about one-quarter of a turn to one'pull and it takes four turns to screw the pipe once around, so it will be obvious that several pulls are necessary before the pipe is made up tight. With the ordinary rotary top the tongs 60 are hung stationary on a cable in the derrick so that they may be swung to and fro from one side of the derrick to the other. With my improved rotary top, however, the .tongs hang on the post 58. and this post goes around with the rotary top when it turns, but when through with the tongs and ready to drill a cable that is in the derrick is hooked on the tongs 60 and the post and these then swung out of the way without lifting them. The post 58 is very useful, inasmuch as it holds the.tongs ready to latch around the pipe and when they are so latched around the pipe the table 26 rotates and the tongs go around with the table and screw the pipe.

sections together.

rataiaa While I have illustrated a detailed construction which I believe to be particularly effective for the purpose intended, I do not wish to be=.1imited to this, as it is obvious that many changes might be made in the details of construction andarrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as embodied in the accompanying claims.

I claim 1. In a well boring apparatus, a rotary top including a base, an inner annular turn table operatively supported for rotation upon said base,",an outer annular turntable disposed concentrically to and with its upper face in approximate alignment with the upper face of the inner turntable, the inner turntable having a tubular, centrally disposed member extending upward therethrough andextending through the base, a plate carried by the inner turntable and extending outward over the upper face of the outer turntable, said plate being less in diameter than the outer turntable, a bushing carried within the tubular member and engaged for rotation therewith and adapted to receive a.driving bushing or pipe gripping slips, a pair of pipe gripping means engaging with each of said turntables, power operated means for rotating the outer turntable. and means for locking both turntables together for unitary movement and for locking the inner turntable against movement.

2. In a'well boring apparatus, a rotary top including a base, an annular turn-table rotat-ably mounted upon the base and-having a central hub portion, a tubular member teeth. oppositely disposed guides mounted upon the base, a bolt operating between said guides and engageable with said teeth, a lever operatively connected to. the .bolt whereby it may be shifted, the upper face of the second named turn-table having guides, bolts sliding radially in said guides, the plate having notches with which said bolts are adapted to engage whereby to operatively lock the--first named turn-table and the second turn-table together for coincident movement, the tubular member being formed to provide a seat for a bushing, the bushing having a downwardly tapering bore and being longitudinally grooved, the bore being adapted to receive either a. driving. bushing or segmental slips.

3. In a rotary top for well boring, a base, a turn-table operatively mounted thereon, a central tubular member extending through the base and through the turntable, the tubular member adjacent its upper end having a seat, a bushing disposed within the t "bular member and resting on said seat and having rotative engagement with the tubular memher, said bushing having a downwardly tapered bore and being longitudinally slotted on its inner face and being thereby adapted to receiveeither a driving bushing or segmental pipe engaging slips.

4. In a well boring apparatus, a rotary top comprising a base, an annular, turn-table rotatably mounted thereon and having a central, upwardly projecting hub, an outer turntable concentric to the hub, anti-friction bearings between the lower port-ion of the first named turn-table and the under face of the second turn-table, a plate mounted upon the upper end of the'hub and extending over the second named turn-table and attachedto the first named turn-table and having peripheral notches, guides carried by the'upper face of-the second turn-table, radially slidable bolts carried in said guides and adapted to engage in the notches, means for holding said bolts in their locked or unlocked position, means for rotating the second named turn-table, and means for locking the first named turn-table from rotation.

5. ln a rotary top comprising a base, an annular turn-table mounted thereon and having a central hub portion, a second turntable concentric to the hub portion, antifriction bearings between the upper face of the first turn-table and the under face of the second turn-table, means for locking the first and second named turn-tables together or permitting them tohave relative movement, power operated means for rotating the second named turn-table, and means for locking the first named turn-table from rotation comprising teeth on the first named turn-table, guides mounted upon the base, a radially slidable bolt disposed between said guides and engaging with the teeth of the first named turntable, and a lever mounted on the base and projecting upward and operatively connected to said bolt.

6. In well boring apparatus, a rotary top including a base, an annular turn-table operatively supported for rotation upon said base, an annular turn-table disposed above the first named turn-table and mounted thereupon, the first named turn-table hav ing a centrally disposed member extending upward above the second named turn-table and extending below said base, a nut on the lower end of the tubular member below the base, a plate carried by said tubular memberabove the second named turn-table, said plate being less in diameter thanthc second named turn-table, pipe engaging means car ried within the tubular member, pipe gripping means detachably engaged with the second named turn-table, pipe gripping means detachably engaged with said plate, means for rotating the second named turntable, and means for locking the turn tables together for unitary movement or for locking the first named turn-table and the plate against movement with the second named turn-table.

7. In well boring apparatus, a rotary top including a base, an annular turn-table mounted upon the base, a second turn-table disposed above the first and operatively supported thereon for independent rotation, a central tubular "member carried by the first named turn table and extending above the second named turn-table, an annular platform carried upon the tubular member above the second named turn-table, power operated means for rotating the second named turn-table, means for locking the first and second named turn-tables in engagement with each other for common rotation or looking the first named turn-table against rotation, a spider disposed within the tubular member and having a central, downwardly tapered bore having a longitudinal slot, pipe engaging means adapted to be disposed within the bore and opera- .tively engage the slot to prevent independent rotation of the pipe gripping means, pipe engaging means mounted upon the second named turn-table for rotation therewith, and pipe gripping means mounted upon the annular platform.

8. In a well boring apparatus, a rotary top,pipe gripping means mounted upon the rotary top including a vertical post having an angularly extending arm, the post being mounted for swinging movement from a position with the arm centrally directed to a position with the arm outwardly directed, a shackle carried upon the extremity of the arm, and a pipe tongs having a handle swingingly engaged by said shackle.

9. in well boring apparatus, a rotary top including a supporting base, an annular turntable disposed upon said base, antifriction bearings between the turn-table and base, the upper face of the turn-table being formed with a raceway, anti-friction bearings disposed therein, an annular turntable mounted upon said last named bearings for rotation concentric to the first named turn-table, power operated means for rotating the second named turn-table, means for locking the first and second named turn-tables together for commonrrotation, means for locking the first named turn-table from rotation with the second named turn-table, a centrally disposed tubu lar member carried by the first named turntable and extending downward below the 1 base and upward above the second named turn-table, an annular platform engaged with the upper end of the tubular member and disposed above the second named turntable, attaching devices passing threugh said annular member and downwarol into the first named turn-table, shims disposed r between said platform and the upper face emme of the first named turn-table, and a nut engaging the lower end of the tubular member and bearing against said base. w

In testimony whereof-I hereunto a my signature.

JUSEPH n3 LUYD. 

